Composition for preserving cut



' leaves.

Patented .Apr. 27, 1943 e August-A; Meyer, Maywood lll. a

No Drawing. AppIicationOctob 4 v Serial-.No.i461 2g9 g e 3 Claims. I This invention relates to a composition of-cerwater'i'n tain chemicals adapted tov be added! to which. cut flowers are inserted, said composition causing favorable reactions including stimulating thedevelopment of saidwfl'owers-and substantially prolonging their normal. span of' lifeh Cut flowers, with their stems placedin water normally re'mainin bloom'for a. comparatively steadyffood duringthe: prolonged life. of 'thecut flowers; said" composition insaid s'olution also acting to harden and strengthenfihey fibrous structure of the" stems, 'p'etals'fand le'avesxand short period in the average warmlroom temperatures. Even in more favorably cool temperatures, cut flowers after being in water for a short time are affected by oxidation. This is because the atmosphereabsorbs moisture from the pet- I als and leaves more quickly. than the flowers can replace the same from the water in which the stems are inserted. This results-in. the decay and decomposition of the stems, and'the wilting, and dropping off of the petals'and shriveling The water into which the stems of the cut flowers are inserted sours withina comparatively short time. Chemical. changes occur in the water due to its contact-with tends to clogthe openingsin the stems as well as to cause decay in the stems, resulting in-preventing the stems from drawing water for the petals and leaves. flowers ,is retarded stantially shortened.

Clipping of the stems from ing the water at frequent intervals, providing cooler temperatures are expedients "which have been used, but they are hardlyworth their trouble and inconvenience as they'merely'lengthen the life of cut flowers a very short time.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a composition for substantially prolongand their life span is sub- -ing the life. of cutflowers, for developing the blooms of cut flowers to their maximum maturity and for preservingsaid cut flowers at their greatest beauty for periods far beyond their normal span of life, in room temperatures.

It is also an object of my invention to create a composition of chemicals which cooperate with each other, and are adapted to be addedto and dissolved in water, into which .cut flowers are inserted, said composition-killing the bacteria, sterilizing the water and-preventing souring of the same, thus leaving the openings of the stems unclogged and free to absorb the solution. for

. the petals and leaves; said composition initiating chemical reactions in the solution to create apredigested food for the quick development of the" blooms to maximum maturity and to provide a V thestems; "Bacteria-com tinues to increase. This condition of the water- Further development of the delay decay thereln'an'cll to enrich thecol'or of tl ie, blooms;- all. without adding; orf changing waterduring the life of the cut flowers.

Another object of my invention :is to, supply a composition combining chemical and food properties to provide a properly balanced 'food, ster'-' ilizer, astringentandlcarrier;j My-invention also comprises such other objects,

advantages and capabilities which -wi-ll-,later morefully appear and whichare inherently possessed by'my invention. Y 'While I have shown herein my'preferred'com positions, yet Ifwish it understood that the same are susceptible of modification and'chan'ge without departing from the spirit. of my invention.-

I A preferred composition selected to illustrate my invention comprises a mixture of the-following' in 'dry powderform: Hydrazine sulphate (N-HzNH'LHgSOELi a. nutrient, preierablyfcane sugar and a substantially non-poisonous anti.

'30 day to day, chang-..

septic, preferably.calcium hypochlorite, My composition'imay also include manganese sulphate oriron oxide. A further addition to my composition may, be'aluminum sulphate oraluminum sodium sulphate (soda. alum) 1 I The relative proportions byiweight.of the mg gredients of my preferred compositionv areas follows: 23 to 43 pounds of hydrazine sulphate, 42 to 82 pounds of either manganese sulphate or iron oxide,-3'to 5 pounds-ofv calcium hypochlorite and 3,125 to 5,125 pounds of. cane sugan'or equivale'nt nutrient.

I may omit, the manganese sulphate or iron" oxide. I may substitute for calcium hypochlorite any equivalent antiseptic which is. substantially non-poisonous. I may also add. to my preferred composition from 2 3 to 43 pounds ofal'uminum sulphate or soda alum. I may also makeup 'my composition without the'nutrient.

' In mixing mycomposition, it is desirable that a departure from the high or lowquantities r. specified, and within therespect'ive ranges for any onev of therespective ingredients.should'be accompanied by a substantially corresponding 7 or proportionate reduction or increase from the f 7 I I high or low limits of each. of'theotlier ingredients specified in the above illustration."

My composition is intheiformof a drypowder. V

- I prefer to pack itin individual packages ofsub- I stantially 1% ounces for home use. Thecusercomposition out of the package into empties the receive Oxidation is substantially retarded and the life span of the flowers is greatly increased.

When aluminum sulphate or soda alum is added a vase or other container holding substantially 2 quarts of water. This will adequately take care of two dozen cut flowers without change of water during the life of the blooms, which is extended from two to seven days. I also pack my composition in larger packages-f for growers" and florists in "commercial use and for shows, exhibitions, hospitals and institutions.

Upon being placed into water, in which there are flowers, the calcium hypochlorite or other suitable equivalent antiseptic, kills the undesire ingredients in the solution which act to carry the solution into and through the stems to the flower heads, and increase the speed of such movement.

The solution causes the continual growth and development of the flowers, substantially as if the .flowers were still growing in the soil in which they had been prior to cutting.

able bacteria, which normally would. cause a" 'souring or liquor fermentation oi the water, and clogging of the openings of j the stems of the flowers. The antiseptic also acts as an astringent.

The openings of the stems are thereforefree for the absorption oithe solution.

The solution enters the stems, petals and leaves 1 I ofth'e flowers and the hydrazine sulphate being a ffpartly predi'ge'sted food, is easily andreadily assir'nilated.1 The nitrogen thereinis ofparticular jimportance' in'causinggrowth; There is no over feeding of the flowers causing temporary intoxication or sluggishness; but a rapidhealthy de- ,,velopment. The buds mature to blooms, and the bloom-s are strong and healthy. They are steadily f fed by the solution, which they'are enabled to through the free openings in the stems.

the composition} the solution also acts to harden the flbrous .structure' of the stems,

The addition of 'mangane oxide to the composition provides the solution j with'meansIor enriching and. deepening the color of the; blooms, as well asouickeningthe absorp-. tion of the solution and strengthening the structureof the flowers.

g' hydrazine sulphate, the manganese sulphate, or iron oxide, the calcium hypochlorite and the aluminum sulphate or soda alum are all Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A composition adapted to be added to and a dissolved in water in which the stems of cut flowers are placed for causing the continuous growth and development of said out flowers and prolonging their span of life, consisting of the following materials in powdered form in substantially'thefollowing proportions by weight: 23 to 43'pounds of hydrazine sulphate, 42 to 82 pounds of a-compound selected from the class consisting of manganese sulphate-andiron oxide, 3 to 5 pounds of cal'ciurn hypochlorite, and 3,125 to 5,125

.pounds of sugar.

2. A compositionadapted to be added to and dissolved. in-water ,in which the stems of out flowers are placed for causing the continuous growth and development of said out flowers and prolonging their span of life, consistingof the V following materials in powdered form in substantially the following proportionsby weight: 23 to 43 pounds of hydrazine sulphate, 3 to 5 pounds of calcium hypochl-orite, and 3,125 to 5,125 pounds or mea 3. A composition adapted to be added to and dissolved in water in which the stems 'of cut flowers are placed for causing the continuous strengthen the connecting rib between the stem and thepetals, and make the petals more firm. increased tensile. strength enables the flowers'to withstand oxidation. V V

7 se .sulphate'or .iron

growth and development of said out flowers and prolonging their span of life, consisting of the following materials in powdered form in substantially the following proportions by weight: 23 to 43 pounds of hydrazine sulphate, 42 to 82 pounds I oi acompound selected from the class consisting orfmanganese-sulphate and ironoxide, 3 to 5 pounds of-calcium hypochlorite, 23 to 43 pounds of afcompound selectedfrom the class consisting 'of aluminum sulphate and soda alum and 3,125

to 5,125 pounds of sugar.

' l AUGUST a. MEYER. 

